Columbia charities chomp at bit of 2008 holiday season

With a troubled economy, organizations prep for winter with hopes of more help.

By Brendan Gibbons

Published Oct. 28, 2008

The Salvation Army began signing up Columbia residents on Monday to receive holiday gifts and meals. Majs. K. Kendall and Katrina Mathews said the organization is accepting sign-ups this week for their Thanksgiving and holiday programs.

"We're going to be collecting clothes for adults and children," K. Kendall Mathews said. "We're also going to be doing seasonal assistance and helping families."

Katrina Mathews said participants could sign up this week at 1108 W. Ash St. to receive a pickup time to receive meals and toys. Mathews said the organization provides food and toys to about 1,200 families per year.

Clients have to be at a low poverty level or have at least one child younger than 12 to sign up, she said.

Besides the food and toy vouchers, Katrina Mathews said one of the Salvation Army's most important activities is providing Thanksgiving dinner to low-income households. The organization will serve meals from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 27 at Lee's Chicken and team up with Meals On Wheels to deliver food to people's homes.

K. Kendall Mathews said the Salvation Army is accepting volunteer applications for the holiday season. The organization usually accepts about 500 volunteers during the holidays, though a larger turnout is expected this year.

"We're expecting more because the need is greater, especially in this tough economic time," K. Kendall Mathews said.

Katrina Mathews said one doesn't need any specific qualification to volunteer.

Columbia resident Thieland Crews has volunteered during the fall and winter months for the Salvation Army for the last 14 years. She said her volunteer work gave her something to refocus on after her son's illness and death from cancer.

"There's so many people who do need help," Crews said. "A lot of people don't like to give out personal information, but we don't care if you're homeless or if you're a teacher who just needs help during the winter."

Katrina Mathews said she has served in the Salvation Army for 15 years, though this is her first year in Columbia. She said she takes great satisfaction in giving people what they need during the holidays.

"(The Salvation Army) is helping people move up from where they are," she said. "They're treated as if they have an organization that looks out for them. They don't have to come here to beg."

In addition to the Salvation Army's efforts this holiday season, Columbia Parks and Recreation is organizing the annual Toys for Columbia's Youth toy drive.

The drive, which lasts until Dec. 19, provided toys to more than 225 children last year.

Toy donations for low-income families will be accepted at the Armory Sports Center or the Parks and Recreation office downtown. Monetary donations can also be accepted at the Parks and Recreation office.

The Voluntary Action Center, a nonprofit social service agency, is also organizing an event for low-income households in Boone County.

The Adopt-A-Family program, run by the agency for 25 years, aims to match more than 1,200 low-income families with holiday gift and meal sponsors.

Organizations, offices, schools, businesses, families and individuals can sign up to deliver food or gifts to the agency's distribution center. Volunteers can also participate in registering families for the program and help distribute gifts.